Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XVII Written by Ovidiu IORDACHE, Călina Petruţa CORNEA

The experiments explored the interactions and antifungal properties of silver nanoparticles, against a model microorganism, Aspergillus niger.Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis were used for assessment of structural alterations done to fungal cells and hyphae, coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDAX). The toxicity of the silver nanoparticles was tested using two methods: liquid exposure to the solution containing silver NPs,and spraying the NPs solution directly on the fungal culture. Analysis revealed significant cellular alteration due to the exposure to silver nanoparticles as well as effects on the growth of Aspergillus niger strain, in comparison to deionized water treatment, used at control sample. Microscopic SEM images revealed that silver nanoparticles treated hyphae were damaged on cell walls level, inducing plasmolysis, while EDAX analysis revealed strong silver depositions in the damaged areas of vegetative cells and spores walls, aspects that could be correlated with silver presence on the affected sites.